Aug. 7, 2015 – Readings in Recovery: Step by Step

Today, look to the 12th Step and ask if we are effective carriers of the message. Before we can pass the message, Step 12 requires we first have a spiritual awakening and, second, we practice the principles of all 12 Steps and Traditions in “all our affairs.” If, on honest evaluation, we can truthfully attest to a spiritual awakening and to practicing the principles of the 12 Steps “in all our affairs,” we might be an effective carrier of the message to someone who is both struggling to get and stay sober. But if we scoff at the idea of a spiritual awakening or apply some of the Program’s principles selectively, how can we be an effective 12th-Stepper? How do carry a message we have not embraced? Because a way of keeping what we have been given in the program is to give it away, we seek wisdom from our Higher Power to be humbled to carry the message. And our common journey continues. Step by step. – Chris M., 2015